Subnautica 2 is seemingly entering Early Access in May, despite the prolonged public issues between developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment and publisher Krafton. An exact date has yet to be announced or nailed down for Subnautica 2‘s Early Access release, but according to internal documents, it’s set for May on PC and Xbox consoles.
No doubt, this is exciting for many fans. Subnautica 2 has been the most wishlisted game on Steam for months now, and many fans have been patiently waiting. After all, how far along Subnautica 2 was in development and how ready it was for Early Access and/or a proper launch have been at the heart of the legal dispute between Krafton and UWE.
5 Under-the-Radar Exploration Games to Play While Waiting for Subnautica 2 to Finally Launch
These exploration games have been grossly underrated, and are the perfect way to tide you over (pun intended) until Subnautica 2.
In short, Subnautica 2 was targeting an Early Access release in 2025, Krafton replaced UWE’s leadership in mid-2025 shortly before delaying the Early Access release, and this delay meant that a $250 million bonus would not be payable. For this reason and more, lawsuits have been pending between Krafton and UWE roughly since then, with a judge recently ruling that UWE leadership in Ted Gill must be reinstated.
Krafton and UWE Are Gearing Up for Subnautica 2’s Early Access Release in May
Now, as first reported by IGN, that Early Access period is happening. Unknown Worlds head Steve Papoutsis sent out an email to the Subnautica 2 team on March 17, thanking them for bringing the game “close to the finish line.” That announcement determined that UWE and Krafton have both determined that the game is ready for Early Access release in May. The email details that there are more story chapters, new creatures, and new biomes in Subnautica 2, more than enough to pass a milestone review, and are at a point that both companies have “Full confidence” that they can deliver “an experience our players will love.” The email also acknowledges Gill’s reinstatement:
We look forward to working with Ted Gill to support a smooth transition and work toward a successful launch. Our priority is getting this game into the hands of the community that has been eagerly waiting for it—and that means honoring the work you have already done to make that possible.
While the Judge’s order that Gill be reinstated and given full control of Subnautica 2‘s development, Early Access period, and release remains pending, it seems that Krafton is on board with the current plan. In a statement to IGN, Krafton confirmed the internal email to be accurate and that an Early Access release in May is the goal. Continuing, the Krafton spokesperson said, “While we respectfully disagree with this week’s court ruling and intend to explore all legal avenues, our goal is to minimize disruption to the team and to the release plan. We remain committed to an open development approach, working closely with the community as development continues, and are focused on delivering the best possible experience to players.”
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Marketing around and for Subnautica 2 has been inconsistent since the litigation began, so hopefully it means that fans will see more ahead of May. Fans have seen features like co-op multiplayer and new sea creatures for Subnautica 2, but there’s plenty to show off still and hopefully that picks up sooner rather than later.
It is unknown how, or even if, this Judge’s orders will impact Krafton itself. In October 2025, Krafton committed itself to being an “AI-First company,” even buying out contracts to expedite the process. At the very least, with both Krafton and UWE committed to a player-supported community development journey with Early Access, the players who have been waiting patiently should see the rewards for that sooner rather than later.
